Program Schedule for 2023
Please note the location of individual events as they vary.
All programs are conducted by, or in cooperation with, the Schuylkill County Department of Parks and Recreation.
****48th Annual Seedling Sale
Oder deadline-Saturday March 25th
Pick up date- Saturday, May 6th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Waterfall Pavilion
Please pick up the seedlings you ordered. Pick up will be located at the Waterfall Pavilion (48 Waterfall Road, Pine Grove). The Schuylkill County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer all questions.
****Step into Spring Hike
Saturday, March 25th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Waterfall Parking Lot
The great engine that turns the seasons has shifted into high gear as we welcome spring by hiking park trails. Meets in the Waterfall Road Pavilion located just off Waterfall Road.
****Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Days
Saturday, March 25th, 8am : Statewide
***Additional Trout Stocking Including Lunkers!! Thanks to Tevis Energy and Swatara Co-op Trout Nursery, see below flyer for more info***
Youth anglers must obtain a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission and be accompanied by a licensed adult angler to participate.
Anglers 16 years of age or older (adult anglers) must possess a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout/Salmon Permit, and be accompanied by a youth (less than 16 years of age) who has obtained a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission.
Only youth anglers with a Voluntary Youth Fishing License OR Mentored Youth Permit may possess a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches. Adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout.
Information on the Mentored Youth Fishing Program is available on the Pa Fish and Boat Commission website at
https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Pages/MentoredYouthProgram.aspx
****Mosquitos and Ticks: Backyard Disease Carrying Pests
Wednesday, March 29th at 6pm in the Clubhouse
This session will include information on mosquito and tick species found in Schuylkill County. Also included will be information on common diseases carried by these insect pests. Methods of control performed by the Conservation District will be covered as well as tips for homeowners to lower mosquito and tick populations around their home. Presented by Kyle Schutt the Insect Management Technician for the Schuylkill Conservation District. The program length will be about 60 minutes with time for discussion and questions.
****Betty Dietz and Bruce Schneck Memorial Year-Round Fishing
Kick off Date- April 8th
Major Sponsors: Pioneer Pole Buildings, Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation, FCCB
Administered by the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation (Friends) (501c3) and Sportsmen’s Advisory Board with assistance from the Swatara Co-op Trout Nursery. Deadline for registration at Werner Lumber or Stony Gun and Archery will be April 7 or till 4pm at Fish and Boat Access pavilion April 8. Tags may be submitted till day before event in 2024. Stockings on or about April 8,15,22,29. Tagged fish every stocking totaling $10,000! 360 Lunkers will be stocked!
Top Prizes will be 5 each of $500,$300,$200 and will be tag specific; plus, an additional 50 @ $100 each.
Pioneer Pole Buildings is in its 3rd year of a $2,500 sponsorship, FCCB (First Citizens Community Bank) its 2nd year of $500.
****Community Sunrise Service at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park
6:30 AM Easter Sunday Morning, April 9th, at the point amphitheater in front of the Clubhouse.
Easter Devotional, Live Music. Everyone is Welcome
A breakfast will be served at no charge following the service.
The Pastor of the Pine Grove Wesleyan Church will lead the service. This event is free and open to the public. Call 570-345-8422 for additional information.
****American Indians of the East Coast
Wednesday April 12th at 7pm in the Clubhouse
A slideshow and artifact program will be given at the Clubhouse by Dave “Big Owl” McSurdy. All are invited to participate in this event of American Indian Cultures of the East Coast.
****SALCA Spring Plant Swap
Saturday May 20th @ 2pm at the Waterfall Pavilion
As you are working in your garden, pot up extra plants, label them and bring them to the plant swap. Bring your extra plants from dividing or seedlings and swap for an equivalent number of different plants. Includes flower, herbs, veggies, house plants, trees/shrubs, ground cover, and bulbs/tubers. Please label using popsicle sticks, recycled plastic spoons and forks, or tabs cut from plastic milk jugs or plastic clamshell strawberry/fruit boxes. Questions call 570-345-2637.
****Canoe and Kayak Rental Concession
Opens at the Canoe Launch near the Clubhouse on Memorial Day weekend, May 27th.
Canoes, Kayaks, Rowboats. $10.00/hour per boat.
Canoes and rowboats seat up to 3, kayaks seat one. PFD and paddles are supplied.
Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day Monday, July 4th and Labor Day Monday Only. Watercraft available on a first come first serve basis.
Times are 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
On weekends after 11:00 AM call 570-345-3537.
Last rental is at 6:00 PM. All boats must be returned by 7:00 PM.
Rentals will be made if weather and lake conditions permit and staff is available.
**** Fish for free at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park
Sunday, May 28th and July 4th
Some things in life are free. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission allows anyone, resident or non-resident to fish without a fishing license. It is the perfect way to reacquaint yourself to the sport or introduce someone young or old to a lifetime of the sport of fishing. Fish-for-free days are held twice a year and apply to all waters of the Commonwealth. All other fishing regulations still apply
****Memorial Day Concert
Monday May 29th, 6-8pm, Large Pavilion by the Clubhouse
M & J Big Band will perform at the Large Pavilion on the grounds of the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Everyone enjoys the annual performance of the “Big Band” at Sweet Arrow. This outdoor concert is FREE and open to the public and is part of the Sweet Arrow Arts in the Park Program sponsored by the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association. “Please bring lawn chairs.” For info call 570-345-8952 (leave a message)
****Zen and the Art of Dutch Oven Cooking
Sunday, June 11th, 2-4pm at the Large Pavilion
Everything you need to know about using a Dutch oven outdoors will be presented at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park at the pavilion near the Clubhouse. The presenters, Julia Sophy and Frank Snyder, are RV travelers who have made delicious and "easy to prepare meals" across the United States. They make Dutch oven cooking together a real pleasure to watch. The program includes finding the right size Dutch oven, cooking techniques, temperature charts, how to properly clean a Dutch oven, and a whole lot more. If you are interested in Dutch oven cooking, then this is the place to start.
Please feel free to share an enlightening afternoon with us. This program is free and open to the public and all ages are welcome. Shine only.
The program is sponsored by the Schuylkill County Conservancy.
****WILDLIFE DAY CAMPS:
(Camps to be held in the pavilion near Clubhouse)
• Wildlife Day Camp-1 (children from ages 4-6) from Tuesday, June 20 to Thursday, June 22 from 9:30-
11:00 a.m.
• Wildlife Day Camp-2 (children from ages 7-9) from Tuesday, June 27 to Thursday, June 29 from 9:30-
11:00 a.m..
The camps will be led by “Porcupine Pat” McKinney of the Schuylkill Conservation District and are being run on a “donation only” basis. “We want to make the camps available to all children regardless of ability to pay.” “You can pay for one day or all three days, whatever you decide is fine.” The focus of each camp is learning about wildlife, insects, plants and will include fun activities designed to stimulate curiosity and natural awareness. These camps are sponsored by the Snayberger Memorial Foundation and the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.
****All campers must be pre-registered and you can do so by contacting “Porcupine Pat” at the conservation district at 570-391-3326 or via email porcupinepat@yahoo.com
**** Annual 4th of July Concert in the Park
Tuesday, July 4th. Concert begins at 6:00 PM at the Large Pavilion
Enjoy the Patriotic Sounds of the Pine Grove Community Band. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the concert at beautiful Sweet Arrow Lake County Park.
Come early and take a walk on the boardwalk and trails. Enjoy the view of the falls, do some fishing, boating or spend some time simply relaxing in the Park. The concert begins at 6:00 PM and is free to the public.
****Geology Walk of Sweet Arrow Lake
Tuesday, July 11th, 7pm. Meet at the Waterfall Pavilion.
Join Jeri Jones of Jones Geological Services in Spring Grove, PA for a casual walk on some of the trails of the park to understand the rocks that lie beneath your feet. You will be amazed to discover that a vast ocean once made up this area. Later continental collisions pushed up and broke the crust. Ever think why the lake is so straight? Participants will learn that answer. We will also examine the stream below the dam and find older channels where the stream once flowed.
****Sneak A Peak at the Creek
Saturday, July 15th from 10:00 to11:00 a.m. at Waterfall Parking Lot
A good way to cool off and also better appreciate the aquatic critters in a creek study of the Upper Little Swatara Creek. Join “Porcupine Pat” in a water adventure in search of mayflies, crayfish, water pennies and more! Meets in the Waterfall Road Pavilion parking lot. Recommended for ages 6+. All equipment is provided or you can bring your own. Must wear shoes that can get wet and dirty.
****PA Dutch Pow Wow Presentation
Saturday, August 12 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Meets in the Waterfall Road Pavilion.
Learn more about this practice of folk medicine. Why and how it was practiced will be shared.
****Fossil Fun at Sweet Arrow Lake
Tuesday, August 15th, 7 pm, Meet at the Waterfall Pavilion
Join Jeri Jones and Melody Tracey of Jones Geological Services in Spring Grove, PA for a fun hands-on program on fossils. Learn how fossils are formed, their importance to a geologist and types of plants and animals that can be preserved. Examples of sea life, swamp plants and dinosaurs will be included in the program. Learn about a great fossil location not far from home.
****How American Indians Communicated without Electricity
Saturday August 19th, 2pm at the Small Leadership Pavilion at the Waterfall Parking Lot
A program of how American Indians communicated without electricity will be presented by Dave “Big Owl” McSurdy. A Petroglyph rock will be made to take home. All ages are welcome to participate.
***How to Use a Map and Compass
Sunday August 20th, 2-4pm, meets at Waterfall Parking Lot
Learn how to use a map and compass to navigate in the outdoors!
In today’s high tech world, navigating by map and compass has become something of a lost ART. Modern GPS units on your cell phone or GPS receivers can determine your location accurately and quickly with little skill necessary.
But, what do you do if your cell’s battery fails or the signal is weak while on an outdoor adventure? Well if you have a compass you can proceed to your destination with confidence and safely.
During this program, you will learn the fundamentals of reading and understanding topographical maps and using a compass to locate your position. You will practice taking bearings to travel over the landscape. This is a hands-on course and all participants are welcome especially youth, scouts, outdoors enthusiast, and experienced wood-wise folks.
The program will be presented by retired forester, Frank Snyder, who will share his knowledge of using compasses and he will display his compass collection.
This program is free and open to the public and sponsored by the Schuylkill County Conservancy.
****SALCA Fall Plant Swap
Saturday Sept 9th @ 2pm at the Waterfall Pavilion
As you are working in your garden, pot up extra plants, label them and bring them to the plant swap. Bring your extra plants from dividing or seedlings and swap for an equivalent number of different plants. Includes flower, herbs, veggies, house plants, trees/shrubs, grounds cover, and bulbs/tubers. Please label using popsicle sticks, recycled plastic spoons and forks, or tabs cut from plastic milk jugs or plastic clamshell strawberry/fruit boxes. Questions call 570-345-2637.
****Tree-Mendous Tree Trek
Saturday, October 7th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Meets in the Waterfall Road Pavilion.
Nature’s engine turns again and a new season is in place. Let’s hike to enjoy the colorful scenes of fall
